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Behind the Scenes of my short film

07-10-2007, 12:18 PM

hey guys, *I figured I would throw a post in and give you guys some behind the scenes video footage of my short film "The Ratred Prophecy" *Our first official night of filming took place over the weekend, and it was very interesting, especially when we went to the second location. *
be sure to check out the myspace pagewww.myspace.com/ratredmovie

their you can find a whole bunch of BHS pics in the pics section and a quick teaser on the main page

Comment

That is awesome&#33; As I was watching it, I was thinking, wouldn&#39;t this scene be scarier if it were filmed at night and then I realized you had a bunch of prep work to do during the day and you were filming it at night Nice.

It does have a Blair Witch feel in the cemetary shoot.

I have a few questions:

How much time are you putting into this project per week?

Also how difficult was it getting the others to take part in the project?

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the cemetary footage in the behind the scenes stuff was without lighting, the actual footage was all shot professionally with an awesome lighting system, that entire cemetary was lit like it was broad day light. some very creepy stuff that you will have to wait about a month or so to see.

I have a few questions:

How much time are you putting into this project per week?

truthfully, it never ends, I am writing a film that we have 250 grand for that has to start filming before christmas, and the fitness show has been picked up by nehst studios and is taking a very differnt turn. Preproduction on that is taking a long time, but its worth a lot of money, and the budget for the show is to be well over a few million dollars. more on that as it develops were in a lot of legal munbo jumbo on that right now due to the level we are taking some aspects of the show too. Couple all of that with this, The Ratred short is being shot with a budget of about &#036;500.00 everyone on the crew is working for free to get to work with eachother before we are doing it for money. The actors are all volunteer as well except the guy who plays Ratred, and he is taking a very small paycheck. Its very hectic, but were really starting to break heavy ground.

Also how difficult was it getting the others to take part in the project?
honestly, we have to beat people down with sticks, we have people coming out of the woodwork to take part in this film in anyway possible, its the northern NJ project everyones talkin about right now, which is very cool.

What would you have done differently so far?
planned out more, we had problems getting from spot to spot with all of the equipment and people

Comment

hmmmm, how has running a lawn care business helped me
ummmmmm
well, one definate thing, im very good at making something out of nothing, especially with finances. Thats a tool no landscaper should be without. Im used to harsh working conditions. Im used to dealing with people constantly.
Really, filmmaking is a business just like any other. Its just more publicized. Personally, I truly feel like making movies is what I was born to do. I love it, If I never see a lawn mower again I wouldnt care as long as I am making movies.

Truthfully the passion is very similar, landscaping and filmmaking are both professions that allow you to take an idea and make it come to life. In landscaping, I designed peoples lawns and hardscapes, I came up with ideas, put them to paper, and then built them. When we make a movie, its not all that differnt a process.
I come up with a concept, then we make it into a script. Frin that point you lock the money, just like you would a landscape project, obviously the money is a whole differnt league, but your building something much larger, and then you create the product.
the process is very similar
however with movies, I find myself doing a great deal more problem solving, especially with small budgets.
I think that is one of my main problems with landscaping. I lost interest because I didnt feel challenged anymore. when things become routine in your life I truly believe you need to change something or you will grow to regret your choices. With film, I pick the concepts, so I could change it up as much as I like.
The challenge really motivates me though
for example, with "The Ratred Prophecy" we are making a film that a studio estimated could not be done professionally for less than &#036;20,000. We are doing the whole thing in the same professional quality for &#036;500, now yes, we are all working for free, but what about props, location costs, etc. thats where the problem solving comes in. the script calls for someone to be buried alive, and come up through the ground. figure that out without spending a few grand. we did, but it wasnt easy

our next project is a feature length film called "The Disappearing Act" it features a story about a girl who falls in love with a magician. The script calls for all differnt kinds of large spectacle magic tricks, so we have to figure out how to do them.

After that, we have another feature film called "The Mirror Room" about a girl locked in a room of nothing but mirrors. try figuring out how to film that without seeing the camera man in a mirror reflection.

and those are the obvious challenges, never mind the real production challenges.

but dont get me wrong, I still hop on the back of my 52" bobcat once a week

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well, its mostly in my lap. We are waiting till the film is complete to start marketing it. we will be doing a newspaper article. and we are currently booked to go on fangoria radio in about 2 months. fangoria radio is a satelite radio show for horror fans. im sure will get a spot n there magazine as well. past that, myspace, and festivals will be the main marketing.

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OH THAT VIDEO WAS COOL&#33; You could even propably edit it to a 60 sec movie trailer. And the music totally worked with it. Great job&#33;

I really think if you can, market the film more now.

Here are some crazy ideas. Post flyers around the area to promote people to join the &#39;cult.&#39;

Maybe then post opposing flyers that build off the buried alive video. Show the actors face and say "i was buried alive&#39; and then have it say something like, this cult must be stopped. And then make an opposing website that promotes the destruction of ratred and the cult.